BIRDS OF PREY 



(375) Bubo virginianus vir= 

 ginianus 



iGmel.) (Lat., a great horned owl). 



GREAT HORNED OWL; CAT 

 OWL; HOOT OWL. A very large, 

 strong and fierce species, with large 

 conspicuous ear tufts. Plumage of 

 our eastern species as shown, al- 

 though it may be a trifle lighter or 

 darker. L., 24.00; Ex., 4. or 5 feet; 

 W., 15.00; T., 9,00; Tar., 2.20. 



Range — Eastern North America, 

 from N. B Quebec and Ont. south 

 to the Gulf; west to Minn. (375a) 

 WESTERN HORNED OWL (B. v. 

 pallescens), a paler variety, is found 

 from Minn, and Tex. westward. 

 (37Sb) ARCTIC HORNED OWL 

 (B. V. subarcticus), with no brown 

 in the plumage, is found from our 

 border north to Keewatin. 



the most abundant species that we have. They are the only 

 what may be termed small owls having ear tufts to be found 

 within our domains. They are regarded as among the most 

 useful of owls, for, not only do they destroy great numbers of 

 rodents, but they prefer to live in the neighborhood of 

 farms, where their services are always greatly needed. 

 Almost any locality that has an abundance of trees with 

 decaying limbs to furnish suitable nesting and resting places 

 is a good district for Screech Owls. They always nest in 

 cavities, either natural ones, deserted woodpecker holes, 

 or in boxes erected for them in orchards. At other than 

 nesting seasons they may spend the day in hollow trees or 

 may sleep out in the open; in the latter cases they are 

 frequently discovered by jays or crows, which set up a 

 great clamor until the owl in disgust is forced to fly away to 

 other quarters. At nightfaU they start out on their hunting 

 expeditions, which take them about barns, in cities, across 

 meadows, or along brooks — anywhere that they will be 

 likely to find rodents, of which they are very fond; they also 



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